Libel drama ends as Democrats apologise to Yingluck in writing

By The Nation 

 

From left: Sirichok, Theptai and Chavanond

 

Three Democrat Party politicians apologised to former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra in writing on Friday for making comments viewed as sexually offensive against her while she was serving as prime minister in 2012.

 

Sirichok Sopha, Theptai Seanapong and Chavanond Intarakomalyasut offered their apologies in an open letter dated October 5. A copy of their letter was also posted in Sirichok’s Facebook message.

 

They also thanked Yingluck for offering to withdraw her libel lawsuit against them.

 

In February 2012, the three Democrats had used a term with double meaning when talking about the prime minister during their television programme. The term suggested a third party was having sexual intercourse with her.

 

During the programme, the trio were criticising Yingluck for failing to attend a parliamentary meeting and alleged she had instead met someone in a hotel room. The programme was broadcast on the satellite-based TV channel Blue Sky, which is run by certain Democrat politicians.

 

The three Democrats were found guilty of libel and sentenced to a year in jail and a fine of Bt50,000 each. The lower court suspended the imprisonment for two years, as the defendants had not been convicted. The appeals court upheld the ruling.

 

The plaintiff appealed against the ruling in the Supreme Court, which is scheduled to read its verdict on October 19.

 

In their open letter, the three politicians said they admitted that they had defamed Yingluck by making untrue comments against her. They said that they felt remorse and apologised to her.

 

“Ms Yingluck Shinawatra forgave us and said she would withdraw her appeal, allowing the three of us to be free from this case. We would like to thank her and announce this news publicly,” the letter said. 

 

Yingluck has assigned her lawyer to withdraw the appeal on Monday in the case against the three Democrats, according to a source.

 

Meanwhile, Chavalit Wichayasut, a politician from the rival Pheu Thai Party, said Yingluck’s forgiveness to the three Democrats was tantamount to giving them a new political life. He added that the trio would have faced a difficult political life if they had been imprisoned a few months before a general election.

 

“Ms Yingluck’s gift of pardon serves as a good example to help the country get out of the conflict trap,” the politician said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30355901

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-10-5

Always found it so weird that wanted criminals on the lam can sue people. And in this case, actually win!

14 minutes ago, TVGerry said:

Always found it so weird that wanted criminals on the lam can sue people. And in this case, actually win!

That’s the defemation law for you. The only law the rich/elite people here take seriously. 

48 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

That’s the defemation law for you. The only law the rich/elite people here take seriously. 

Such draconian laws are created by/for folks that are never secure with themselves nor their positions in life...

Well law in general in LaLaland is bizarre.

The very fact that you have a PM convicted for basically stupidity says a lot.

It the same criteria were applied to politicians elsewhere, half of politicians in the US & Europe would be banged up in a supermax somewhere.

You just have to roll your eyes and figure...it's Thailand.

Welcome to Thai(lala)land

To be honest, I do not support the defamation laws at all, but these three fellows should be utterly ashamed. Politics should focus on the subject at hand, not on personal matters. 

 

To the person seemlingly believing "convicted criminals" suddenly have no rights. It seems you have not understood justice at all. 

 

Not to mention that Yingluck's conviction is not worth the paper it is written on....

5 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In February 2012, the three Democrats had used a term with double meaning when talking about the prime minister during their television programme. The term suggested a third party was having sexual intercourse with her

Ah yes the good ole double entendre .. But hey could've been worse Ying imagine how Sue feels .. 

The fragrant Yingluck is welcome to my hotel room anytime! 

6 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

What is the lady indicating ...I live over there ... look trees ... look water gone... by the way who is it...

41 minutes ago, JAS21 said:

What is the lady indicating ...I live over there ... look trees ... look water gone... by the way who is it...

No, she enjoys  ride on a chopper????

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Democrats apologise to Yingluck in writing

Oh! The loss of face!

42 minutes ago, gunderhill said:

No, she enjoys  ride on a chopper????

Gunder hill you are on the double endtentre border you queuing up for your turn... in the defamation queue????????????????????????????????????????????

1 hour ago, PatOngo said:

Oh! The loss of face!

I don't like the PTP and YL but if the democrats made remarks like that they should apologize. Not really civil or adult like to make remarks like that. They should have just showed Pinocchio to make their point (puppet).  

 

Sexual remarks are just stupid and had nothing to do with her functioning.

Defamation is a serious crime in Thailand, somtimes I think they would overlook a charge of murder because someone uses the defense "She defamed me in public"